Birdy

Starring:Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young, Bruno Kirby, Nancy Fish, George Buck, Dolores Sage, Robert L. Ryan, James Santini, Maud Winchester, Marshall Bell, Elizabeth Whitcraft, Sandra Beall, Victoria Nekko, Crystal Field, John Brumfield, Joe Lerer, Alice Truscott
Director: Alan Parker
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

The Crying Game is the unpredictable, unconventional, multi-Oscar nominated masterpiece that has become the sleeper hit of the year. Starring Stephen Rea and Miranda Richardson as Irish terrorists, Forest Whitaker and their hostage, and Jaye Davidson as Whitaker's exotic girlfriend, the film is a haunting, humorous and shocking romantic thriller. Never has a motion picture undermined viewer expectations so thoroughly and enjoyably.

System Requirements:

Running Time 112 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

The Crying Game offers a rare and precious movie experience. The film is an unclassifiable original that surprises, intrigues, confounds, and delights you with its freshness, humor, and honesty from beginning to end. It starts as a psychological thriller, as IRA foot soldier Fergus (the incomparable Stephen Rea) kidnaps a British soldier (Forest Whitaker) and waits for the news that will determine whether he executes his victim or sets him free. As the night wears on, a peculiar bond begins to form between the two men. Later, the movie shifts tone and morphs into something of a romantic comedy as Fergus unexpectedly becomes involved with the soldier's girlfriend Dil (Jaye Davidson) and discovers more about himself, and human nature in general, than he ever dreamed possible. Like Spielberg's E.T., The Crying Game was supposed to be director Neil Jordan's "little, personal movie," the one he just had to make, even though no studio was willing to give him money because the story was so unusual. Instead, it became a surprise popular sensation, thanks in part to Miramax's cleverly provocative campaign playing up the hush-hush nature of the movie's big secret. The performances (including Miranda Richardson as one of Fergus's IRA colleagues) are subtly shaded, and the writing and direction are tantalizingly rich and suggestive; you're always trying to figure out the characters' true motives and feelings--even when they themselves are fully aware of their own motives and feelings. The Crying Game is a wise, witty, wondrous treasure of a movie. Director Jordan's credits include Mona Lisa, Interview with the Vampire, Michael Collins, and The Butcher Boy. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

INTRIGUING, SHOCKING, GREAT.......2007-06-26

This is one of my movie favorites. I remember when I first saw this movie with my husband we had a lively argument about the character, Dil. Then wham!

This movie first introduced me to Forrest Whitaker. I hoped when I saw him in this movie that great things would happen to him because his acting was so convincing. It's good to see my hopes were realized. All the actors in this movie are incredible.

The movie plot starts out in one direction then with a thin thread connecting leads you off into an entirely different direction and back to the beginning plot, seamlessly.

The Crying Game is a very clever movie that revolves around Jimmy and Dil, and the IRA. And, well, something else.

If you have never seen this movie, I recommend you see it. It is highly enjoyable.

It's Just a Piece of Meat.......2007-05-15

"The Crying Game"

It's Just a Piece of Meat

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

It is hard to believe that it has been 15 years since "The Crying Game" came out. By now everyone knows the story and the "surprise" but it is still amazing to note that the movie is considered as controversial today as it was when it came out in 2002. That appears to be the sign of good cinema. The director, Neil Jordan opened many doors with this film of the unlikely friendship between Fergus, an Irish revolutionary and Jody, a kidnapped soldier from Britain. When things so terribly wrong, Fergus manages to escape and heads for London and Jody's lover, a hairdresser named Dil. Fergus changes his name to Jimmy and starts seeing Dl who has no idea that he is aligned with the revolutionary group. But there are some things about Dil that he doesn't know either.
Stephen Rea as Fergus is amazing. Told from his point of view, he keeps the audience in suspense and involved. This is a special movie. It is hard and perverse and comes close to an "X" rating. There is a lot of sexual content which is stunning in its originality. In many cases the dialog is peppered with four letter words and the violence is both graphic and aggressive. It is quite a ride so if you plan to see it, be prepared. It is the kind of film that you see and talk about for days afterwards. An unknown actor, Forest Whitaker, appeared in the movie and went on to win the best actor Oscar this year. And the movie itself garnered many nominations itself.
Philosophically, the movie is an illustration of unconditional love, something we do not have a lot of in today's world. It helps us to understand humanity and the trails and tribulations of society are dealt with in the film. It s a work of fiction with a definite agenda and is beautiful to watch. Well written and beautifully acted, it draws you in with its profound performances and a very literate script. In fact, everything about this film nears perfection.

Who Can Sneer at Love?.......2007-04-25

Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" was the talk of the town when it opened in 1992, largely due to its surprise ending, of course. But it won an Oscar for best original screenplay, and another 17 awards, and had 16 more award nominations. It was a good movie. Well, by now, the surprise ending isn't such a big surprise, the title song's still famous, and it's still a good movie. It was written and directed by the Irish Neil Jordan; Nik Powell gets an executive producer credit. It was well-cast, with the Oscar-winning Jim Broadbent, Adrian Dunbar, Stephen Rea, and Miranda Richardson in lead roles. The American Forest Whitaker, despite his wavering London accent, turned in one of his best pre-Oscar performances. And it introduced Jay Davidson in a stunning debut.

The movie opens unforgettably, during the height of the Irish troubles, at a carnival somewhere near Belfast, Ireland. Jude (Miranda Richardson) who plays a great bitch, seems intent on seducing Jody (Whitaker), a British soldier. But we quickly learn that she's actually intent on having him taken hostage by her insurgent Irish Republican Army co-conspirators, and he is. During Jody's captivity, he forms a relationship with one of his IRA keepers, Fergus (Rea), who's not the brightest in his unit; they tell each other the story of the frog and the scorpion, that will become famous folklore. Jody believes he won't survive his captivity, and asks Fergus to look up his London girlfriend, Dil (Davidson.) Fergus will be assigned to kill Jody; we'll never know if he could, as the author Jordan finds another, shocking way to set his story in motion. So Fergus flees to London, where he can live the anonymous life of an Irish laborer. and does, indeed, look up Dil.

This powerful opening sets the movie on its memorable, dreamlike course. It's an IRA drama, a star-crossed lovers' romance, and a hostage drama. The acting's first rate, particularly that of Stephen Rea, who holds the film together (he lost the Oscar to Al Pacino that year.) Rea give us a Fergus who's a not too bright schnook, just trying to get through life while causing as little damage as possible. Furthermore, he's another of Jordan's unfortunate heroes who can't help falling in love with the wrong female. We know Dil will never be the woman Fergus thought she was. But hey, who can sneer at love in a loveless world?

"When a Man Loves a Woman, She would Stand by Her Man", .......2007-04-15

This wonderful movie is even better on the repeat viewing after the secret was out because you'd pay more attention to the smallest details and enjoy the brilliant storytelling and acting by everyone. Besides Rea, Whitaker, and Miranda Richardson, I'd like to mention Jim Broadbent as a sympathetic bartender Col. For me, though, the absolutely stunning, one of the very best debuts in the movie history was Jaye Davidson who had no movie experience. There are not many characters that I keep thinking about after the movie is over - where did they come from, how their life would turn after the final credits, how would this cruel world treat them, would they be happy? Dil (Davidson) is one of them - a marvelous creature, vulnerable yet dignified, a combination of dry remote coolness and quiet tenderness. No wonder, Fergus (Rea) (as Whitaker's Jody before him) fell under her spell even after he found out that nothing is what it seems. The Crying Game is a great movie - makes you think, makes you feel, makes you talk about it, makes you want to see it again.

4.5/5

OK.......2007-01-03

I had been hearing about this movie for years and couldn't find it anywhere to rent. Finally, I just bought it. I don't know what all the fuss was about. It's an ok movie. I may trade it in somewhere along with 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag.

Average customer rating:

Series Five is a must have if you are a real fan of BallyK
Ballykissangel, a short trip to Ireland
Who would have thought angels from Ballykiss would break one's heart over and over again
Ballykissangel series 5
Ballykissangel: Series Five

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Starring: Mick Lally , Sam Farrar , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two
Monarch of the Glen - Series Six
Monarch of the Glen - Series Five

ASIN: B000JLTS8A
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Amazon.com

A warm and dynamic comedy-drama about an Irish village, Ballykissangel blends whimsy, heartbreak, and gorgeous scenery with deft charm. Though the first few series were built around the local priest, in the fifth series the storylines are evenly spread among the entire cast (even as some major characters leave and others arrive). The season is driven by romances: Troubled Niamh (Tina Kellegher, The Snapper) grapples with her love for Sean (Lorcan Cranitch, Dancing at Lughnasa), knowing it spells the end of her marriage to Ambrose (Peter Hanly, Braveheart)--but little does she suspect the form that end will take; and svelte and sexy Orla (Victoria Smurfit, Trial and Retribution) finds a new interest in rangy sailor Connor (Owen Teale, Island at War). Meanwhile, adventures abound, ranging from a hot air balloon race to gangsters seeking stolen caviar to the unexpected appearance of an automatic toilet. The arrival of the Dooley family and new police officer Frankie Sullivan (Catherine Cusack) brings a whole set of new character and new relationships to the village, all explored with the same intelligence and heart that's marked the series from its inception. And of course there's hunky Colin Farrell (Miami Vice) as an earnest young farmer (though his role this season is more peripheral than in the previous series). Newcomers to the show will find themselves hooked by the end of the first episode of this series. Fans of Northern Exposure or similar American shows may find a kindred sensibility in Ballykissangel. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town. In Series 5, Father Aiden O'Connell finds himself dealing with a new romance for Niamh and Orla, a new garda for Bally K, and the return of an old rival for Brian Quigley. He also runs into some troubles of his own.

Customer Reviews:

Series Five is a must have if you are a real fan of BallyK.......2007-06-11

Although the story lines come and go within BallyK, if you have seen series 1-4, you MUST buy series 5. The last series 6 has not been released in the US yet, but will be. Amazon was cheaper than buying from BBC direct and certainly a better value than the chain bookstores. Always the best deal at Amazon!!

Ballykissangel, a short trip to Ireland.......2007-06-01

We love the series and are glad to continue our short ventures into life in this charming Irish village.

Who would have thought angels from Ballykiss would break one's heart over and over again.......2007-05-24

Season 4 of Ballykiss Angel ended with this beautiful contradiction
of emotions. One of the main characters has been caught up in the
tragedy and sorrow of his marriage falling apart - as - the other
becomes involved in forbidden romances with another. Season 4
ends leaving you heartbroken with guilt - joy? Is that possible
anywhere else but in 'Ballykiss' ?

- I've waited over a year for season five to find my eyes-

the heart break and tears are well worth the wait !

Ballykissangel series 5.......2007-05-14

The product arrived promptly and in excellent condition. Said product was thoroughly enjoyed. Buyers are looking for series 6 if available.

Ballykissangel: Series Five.......2007-05-13

Absolutely fabulous - an ongoing journey into the lives of the wonderful people who live in Ballykissangel. The characters touch your heart and soul with every emotion. It is light, yet deep in faith and tradition. We've watched every series over and over and we are always awakened anew!

Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two

Average customer rating:

pleasant
Another good BBC series
Ballykissangel-complete series one and two
great little series
Bally K

Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two
Starring: Robert Taylor (VII) , Mick Lally , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Monarch of the Glen - The Complete Series 1 & 2
Monarch of the Glen - Series Five

ASIN: B0000DZSYE
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Amazon.com

When Father Peter Clifford (Peter Tompkinson) comes from Manchester to the small Irish village of Ballykissangel, he knows he will be facing some opposition. After all, what is an English priest doing in Ireland, of all places? He soon finds out that the town of Ballykissangel poses many more challenges than just accepting the unfamiliar priest. The delightfully mischievous cast of characters include Brian Quigley, the local businessman and entrepreneur; Donal and Liam, his faithful sidekicks; Siobhan, the frequently prescient veterinarian; and the tough owner of Fitzgerald's Bar, Assumpta. As the characters become more familiar throughout the series, their tribulations and triumphs are all the more realistic. The intricate characterizations, beautiful scenery, and delightfully dry humor ensure that fans of the English series All Creatures Great and Small will also enjoy Ballykissangel, and savor its distinctly Irish twist. --Amanda Powter

Description

T Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town, and Father Peter Cifford has just arrived from London with high expectations and no drivers licence. From the newest technological developments in confessionals to pirate radio stations, life is anything but ordinary in the first two seasons of Ballykissangel.

DVD Features:
Biographies:Cast Biographies
Documentary:"Summer Holiday in Ballykissangel"...a tour of Avoca, the real-life Irish villiage in the series.
Featurette:Behind the scenes with cast and crew.

Customer Reviews:

pleasant.......2007-06-01

my wife and i enjoyed the series and intend to get the rest of the episodes.the people are real, the stories entertaining, and the scenery beautiful. we heard about it from my cousin, and on a recent trip to ireland, we visited the village where it was filmed. it is just like in the film.
we recommend it.

Another good BBC series.......2007-05-19

The characters are lovable and the scenery is beautiful. BBC knows how to create a series that show the quirks of every day people in a small town who you come to enjoy. Each episode leaves you wanting to see the next episode to see what these characters will do next.

Ballykissangel-complete series one and two.......2007-05-07

This is a great series. I saw it first on KTEH years ago. I almost never caught all of the shows, but I loved them then and love them more now. I bought them all.
It's a nice story of a small town in Ireland. There is a little of everything. Anyone could watch this. I would think girls would like it better. My 12 neice loves and also has all of the series too.

great little series.......2007-01-16

Ballykissangel is just the kind of series I love to watch. The characters are well developed and are interesting. They could be in my little neighborhood, if we all had Irish accents. I would like to get the rest of the seasons, when the price comes down!

Bally K.......2007-01-12

Excellent acting, dialogue, story line, lovable characters...
makes you want to move to Bally K!

Average customer rating:

Love it
Watch it and Weep
Linnie
Ballykissangel
Ballykissangel - Series Three

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Starring: Robert Taylor (VII) , Mick Lally , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two
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Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Ballykissangel - Complete Series One

ASIN: B0006FO5MI
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Description

Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town, and Father Peter Clifford struggles to save his parishioners' souls without falling himself...for the local barkeep, Assumpta Fitzgerald. Series Three is the dramatic conclusion of Peter and Assumpta's story, long awaited by fans of the original series.

Customer Reviews:

Love it.......2007-05-01

I understand many of people's frustrations with the finish of Season 3, but this is one of the most well acted and heartfelt shows ever. In particular, the episode "The Reckoning" is a combination of some of the most heart wrenching and shocking TV you'll ever see. Probably one of the best episodes of a TV series of all time. It is almost impossible not to be affected by the scene in Niamh & Ambrose's kitchen when Peter relays his Polar Bear analogy to Assumpta - just one of the all time great scenes in TV - perfectly acted, perfectly written(complete with some terrific background orchestration during this particular scene). Just brilliant.

I miss these characters. The show was never the same after Season 3. But dont miss out on the first 3 seasons. Some of the best TV you'll ever see

Watch it and Weep.......2007-03-10

The Ballykissangel series is now about ten years old and whether you're discovering the magic of the series for the first time or just wanting to relive the chemistry between Peter(Stephen Tompkinson)and Assumpta (Dervla Kirwan)and enjoy the quirky and entertaining characters and situations that arise from Kieren Prendiville's massive hit then you can't go wrong with the DVD's. Series 1 ignited our interest in Peter and Assumpta as the sparks flew between them. Series 2 gave us many an enticing moment between the two of them and we begged for more. Series 3 however, took the viewers on a path that many did not want to go and resulted in many alternative endings being written by viewers and posted on fansites. Ballykissangel continued for another three series, but for many viewers, it ended with the departure of Stephen and Dervla in this third series. Series 3 remains well written and acted with many delightful and heartwrenching moments, but in contrast to the previous two series it is overall 'heavier', emotionally infuriating, has Stephen and Dervla absent for two episodes and has the most unsatisfactory ending of all time. Having said that, if you've watched Series 1 and 2, you can't not watch Series 3. Sit back and enjoy, then write your own ending!

(.....)

Linnie.......2007-03-09

I enjoyed the DVD so much that I was quite disappointed when it finished. I really got to love all the characters and was sad to see the end that I guess we all knew had to come. I will certainly be watching it again.

Ballykissangel.......2007-01-14

I am a huge fan of Ballykissangel especially series 1, 2, and 3.
I plan on going to Avoca Ireland where it was filmed next year.

Ballykissangel - Series Three.......2006-11-06

A delighful series of episodes depicting village life in Ireland. The characters are well developed and interest is maintained throughout the series as various events impact different individuals and their interaction with others. The underlying relationships are sustained throughout the series and the conclusion is cleverly managed.

Average customer rating:

Linnie
Different view
Much Better than Season 1 and2
The road though BallyK still worth exploring after major cast changes.
Ballykissangel - When will series 5 be on DVD?

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Starring: Mick Lally , Sam Farrar , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Two
Ballykissangel - Complete Series One

ASIN: B000BT96FK
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Amazon.com

The events of season 3 left the BBC series Ballykissangel without its leading characters--pub owner Assumpta Fitzgerald (Dervla Kirwan) and Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson)--and most interesting relationship conflict. Happily, the fourth season finds the drama-comedy successfully retooling itself with an influx of new cast members (including Colin Farrell) and a shifting of emphasis away from Assumpta's pub (called Fitzgerald's), previously the center of action in the Irish village. Not that the tavern is going anywhere; Assumpta's good friend, Niamh (Tina Kellegher), takes over its management after her father, wheeler-dealer Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle), buys Fitzgerald's at auction. Niamh's increasingly estranged husband, town cop Ambrose (Peter Hanly), isn't happy with the arrangement, and he worries that his superiors will object to his family moving into Assumpta's old living quarters above the pub. For Brian, however, Fitzgerald's is the smaller of two major acquisitions he makes in season 4; the other is a golf course to which he is led, literally, in a dream.

Meanwhile, returning characters Brendan (Gary Whelan), a teacher, and Siobhan (Deirdre Donnelly), the veterinarian, give birth to a daughter and struggle to come to terms with their unmarried relationship. Shop owner Kathleen (Aine Ni Mhuiri) has an unexpected encounter with an interrupted romance from her past, Brian's stooges Donal (Frankie McCafferty) and Liam (Joe Savino) keep trying to play an angle that will finally work for them, and Father Mac (Niall Toibin) is no less exasperated with his new priest, Father Aidan O'Connell (Don Wycherley), than he was with Father Clifford. Father O'Connell, a former monk who, until recently, was cut off from the mainstream world for a decade, is a somewhat reserved fellow undergoing a kind of re-entry shock. Fortunately, he has his outgoing sister, Orla (Victoria Smurfit), around to help him, though Orla proves quite interesting in other respects, particularly her unusual (and strictly platonic) bond with Brian. Finally, there's the aforementioned Colin ("Col" in the show's credits) Farrell, who plays Danny, a young nephew of shepherd Eamonn (Birdy Sweeney) and something of a fugitive in possession of a horse called Razor. Farrell is very good in the role, a haunted boy-man whose historical ties to the region--and to a much-resented other arrival, Sean Dillon (Lorcan Cranitch) and the latter's daughter, Emma (Kate McEnery)--are much more complicated than he knows. --Tom Keogh

Description

Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town, and following the tragic death of Assumpta the village eagerly awaits the arrival of Father Aidan O'Connell . . . but his sister is the one who attracts more of the attention. The fourth instalment features Hollywood A list actor Colin Farrell as Danny Byrne.

Customer Reviews:

Linnie.......2007-04-14

Excellent DVD. Enjoyed every moment of this wonderful series. The Characters,Story line, and scenery all make this a great way to spend a few hours just watching and relaxing. Really makes you feel good.

Different view.......2007-01-07

Ok, I agree that the new characters were welcome and interesting because frankly, by the end of season three, the Peter/Assumpta relationship had pretty much run it's course as far as holding my interest. As long as Brian Quigley and loonies, Liam and Donal were back, I was happy. I did, however, hate...HATE...the way the show handled the dissolution of Niamh and Ambrose's marriage. Granted Niamh married him for all the wrong reasons (thumbing her nose at her father was my guess), but watching Ambrose's increasing state of confusion, hurt, etc., while Niamh blithely pursued a man that had taken her fancy was painful to watch. I won't even go into how much I despised what happened in season six when they solved the problem in a totally unrealistic and unsatisfying way. I loved and enjoyed Ballyk from season one to it's ultimate end but the whole Niamh/Ambrose/Sean debacle is what keeps it from being five star all the way.

Much Better than Season 1 and2.......2006-06-16

I like a lot of the reviews enjoyed season 4 as it consintrated on the other characters espeacilly Niamh who was excellent, The introduction of Sean Dillon made the show more interesting, I'm not a Colin Farrell fan but he was quite good. Just Got Season 5 on dvd even better again recommend this season to people that were not predjudiced about watching the rest of the series after the departure of Peter and Assumpta this season and the follwing all the better for it.

The road though BallyK still worth exploring after major cast changes........2006-06-01

If you are new to Ballykissangel this is a fine show, but it is not the place to jump into this entertaining pastiche of small town Irish life (real or idealized). Season four is not just the fourth year of this program, but really is just the first of several attempts at trying to reinvent itself after huge cast changes. Bit players Liam & Donal who did their job well as hapless hired hands to the focal character of the show (Brian Quigley) have had their roles upped several fold during this year. Thus we see them dredge for gold balls in one of the water hazard's at Quigley's golf course. One of them mysteriously (with no explannation) becomes the guardian of a "pet" bear; a bear, who obviously then reeks a bit havoc. The eccentric uncle (making his first appearance) of this Donal character also does likewise with the town in the season's finale. New faces are also introduced. The town has a new priest (who brings his sister), a new farmer (with his teenage daughter), and the old farmer's presence is complicated by the arrival of his nephew (also a young adult who predictably catches the eye of the new gal in town). In short, a lot is new herein & it takes a bit to absorb all of it since all 5 newcomers are introduced en masse. 3 of these, incidentially, are flat-out successful in the roles and add much to providing much needed ballast after the 3rd season lost the progam's 2 central characters. Father Aiden, as the new understudy to Father Mac, helps to re-center the plot and his sister provides much needed livliness. If you pick up the show with this season, however, it'll be odd to go back to the first 3 seasons. So do partake of the initial 3 seasons (whose episodes, generally speaking, don't significantly suffer much with repeated viewings) first, then delve into and give this selection a try. (And, if you haven't seen it yet, do treat yourself to seeing the very Irish and funny film "Waking Ned Devine".) (06May) Cheers!

Ballykissangel - When will series 5 be on DVD?.......2006-05-30

This is the best show. I am so hooked on it that I cannot wait for series 5 to come out on DVD. I recommend the entire series - but series 4 stands on its own, where the first 3 must be seen in sequence.
You won't be sorry that you bought it - just sorry that it is over and you have to wait (impatiently) for the next set.

Average customer rating:

Hey TenDays!
Lake Wobegon in Ireland
Great veiwing even if, like me, you aren't Irish
'Heavenonearth'
Touches the heart and mind of the viewer

Ballykissangel - Complete Series One
Starring: Robert Taylor (VII) , Mick Lally , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Two
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Monarch of the Glen - Series One

ASIN: B0000DZSYC
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Amazon.com

In the first episode, "Trying to Connect You," before Father Clifford has a chance to arrive in the town of Ballykissangel, the bus he is riding is almost smashed to bits by a huge wooden box. He soon finds out that this box contains a welcome gift from Brian Quigley, Ballykissangel's occasionally misguided preeminent businessman. The second episode, "The Things We Do for Love," finds a blast from Father Clifford's past arriving in town. Quigley's daughter, Niamh, is set to wed Ambrose, the earnest village guard, in "Live in My Heart and Pay No Rent." "Fallen Angel" finds a pirate radio station, Angel FM, and its DJ broadcasting hip tunes, wisecracks, and local gossip in an atrocious American accent over the town. When the DJ reveals that it's Father Clifford's birthday, Assumpta thinks up a gift that will surely get things rolling. "The Power and the Glory" is a bit tense for many of the characters. Quigley decides to run in the local election against the aspiring crematorium-builder, Sean Dooley, but an old flame of Assumpta's--a journalist--starts digging around and causing all sorts of trouble. In the sixth and last episode of the season, "Missing You Already," Father Clifford finds out he is about to be sent back to England. Meanwhile, Assumpta is busy coping with the impending competition of Quigley's Bar and Grill, which is moving in for the local festival and possibly longer. And finally, the happy couple of Niamh and Ambrose are getting married. This could be the end for the English priest in the small Irish town. --Amanda Powter

Description

Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town, and Father Peter Clifford has just arrived from London with high expectations and not even a drivers license to help him navigate the rocky road to salvation in Ballykissangel. His arrival is as much of a shock to Peter as it is to the local residents who are forced to come to terms with his youthful energy and down-to-earth style. Beautiful barkeep Assumpta Fitzgerald owns a car, but loathes organized religion, and she lets him know it as they drive up the mountain to give the last rites to a dying parishioner. And he clashes repeatedly with powerful landowner Brian Quigley, one of the church's biggest donors. There are prejudices to overcome and questions to be answered. Like why exactly did Peter leave London in the first place?

DVD Features:
Biographies:Cast biographies
Featurette:On the Ballykissangel Trail - 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, on-set secrets and interviews with the stars Behind the Scenes - a 20-minute look at the making of Ballykissangel Summer Holiday in Ballykissangel - a tour of Avoca, the real-life Irish village where Ballykissangel was filmed; hosted by Eamon Holmes

Customer Reviews:

Hey TenDays!.......2007-05-20

I just had to say hello to the reviewer before me! I also had a chance to visit Avoca and have a glass of Guinness in the pub there. Just a little walk down the street is the most wonderful woolen factory and shop! Enjoy all, the program is great!

Lake Wobegon in Ireland.......2006-09-02

If Lake Wobegon were set in Ireland, it would be Ballykissangel. Life in the small, rural Irish town, circa 1995, centers on the pub and the Roman Catholic Church. Naturally, the main characters are the young priest and the publican, a fiery woman who is hostile to religion. Despite her antagonism toward his faith, the publican always seems to end up helping out the priest. Although these two characters take center stage in the early going, a variety of other townspeople -- each with quirky characteristics of his or her own -- gradually emerge with their own stories. Eventually, it becomes clear that the real star is Ballykissangel itself -- a little town that one wishes time hadn't forgotten.

Great veiwing even if, like me, you aren't Irish.......2006-07-27

I watched some of this series in UK and had to know what I misses. I've ordered series 2. Great TV

'Heavenonearth'.......2006-07-08

In a show which appears to abound with possible anomalies, unexpectedly comes the most profound commonsense and, with it, immense enjoyment.
In a most unlikely Irish village, live a most unlikely group of villagers. A group which includes the good, the bad, and the rather stupid. Overseer, at the top of the hierarchy, is a non too pleasant, but feared, senior Priest. The foregoing would hardly make an aceptable show - let alone a great one. Ballykissangel is made great, truly great, by the inclusion to the above characters of a raw English born Priest, an attractive but atheist female Publican, a conscientious but fallible Policeman, a caring Schoolmaster and, lastly but crucially, a lovable rogue of a Businessman.
It would be unfair to pick any one actor as superior. The main characters are superbly played by the cast, while the 'lesser lights' are no less deserving of high praise.
Ballykissangel is a 'Fairy Tale', in that good invariably triumphs over evil but, the convoluted stories which evolve from the behaviour of the residents of this small community are suspenseful and highly entertaining. The writing, like the acting, is first rate.
This must be one of the most viewable of all the Drama/Comedies ever produced. One wishes one could live in Ballykissangel!

Touches the heart and mind of the viewer.......2006-03-27

This is a series sui generis--a thing unto itself (though it can be compared and contrasted to many others). I am virtually certain that the creator, who must certainly have a strong say in how all episodes are written because of their fluid continuity, watched a lot of All Creatures Great and Small. Although there is far more star quality in that great series (Robert Hardy as a inimitable,fantastic Siegfried) and it is more tightly focused on just three or four characters (the vets plus Ellen), All Creatures... was such a hit because again and again and again it goes for the heart, not fulsomely or over-sentimentally, but with real, live, accessible, and beautifully drawn characters.

BallyK shares this warmth and genuine humanity without sacrificing the basics of the "real world" and, though it is not mentioned enough, I think many people are happy to see a priest portrayed positively, with faults but much more with lots of decency and a sense of love and fairness. Stephen Tompkinson, at least in the first two years of episodes, is nothing short of spectacular as the lead character. Again in contrast with the "star" of All Creatures...Robert Hardy, his character has some charisma but it's his basic love for and acts of love for others that glues this series together.

Many charactes play major roles, but making a Catholic priest the positive protagonist is a stroke of brilliance, rarely equalled in the annals of art. The creator almost certainly didn't expect the reaction this series has received all over the world. (It has a universal appeal with universal plots and themes, set in Ireland: it's not just for those who are Irish or like the Irish--that is totally off-base).

The trials and tribulations and humorous situations, most of them not earth-shattering, that make up this series (I've seen years one and two) connect with the concerns and lives of ordinary people who can identify with aspects of most of the characters. There is a nasty character or two that appear in a few of the episodes, but their "evil", while real, doesn't dominate, but dissolves into the overall good natured quality of this series.

And that's the key: the characters and conflicts in BAllyK are genuine; there isn't the manufactured angst, turbo-charged hyperactivity, and turmoil that characterizes most serieses.

In the U.S., the Sopranos is top dog among serieses of this kind and I too have enjoyed it to a degree. But is Tony Soprano the Everyman that could give this series timeless appeal--NO. I do believe, however, that Father Clifford, in crucial combination with the other characters, is an Everyman that will give this series timeless apppeal--again much like All Creatures...

In fifty years, more people may watch the Sopranos, but the percentage of people that watch BAllyK and fall in love with this very slightly off-beat community with will be much higher than those who both watch and really love The Sopranos. Anyway this is a great series, at least years one and two (there is great conflict about seasons 3 and 4, which I have not seen).

Older viewers who grew up watching and liking the Andy Griffith Show, Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver, My Three Sons et al will like this series--probably not seein the resemblances, which are many. But BallyK is not recycled old American t.v. It makes its own statment; has its own warmth and charm; and creates its own compelling, if low-key, reality. See the first two seasons at least. You will be a better person for it.

Average customer rating:

Good Fun!
Ballykissangel series 2.
The BEST
'Heavenonearth'
Great series, lousy DVD

Ballykissangel - Complete Series Two
Starring: Robert Taylor (VII) , Mick Lally , Owen Teale , Kate McEnery , and Colin Farrell
Director: Paul Duane , Chris Clough , Simon Massey (II) , and Peter Lydon
Manufacturer: BBC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Ballykissangel - Complete Series One
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Three
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Four
Ballykissangel - Complete Series Five
Monarch of the Glen - Series One

ASIN: B0000DZSYD
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Amazon.com

Ballykissangel's 1997 BBC and PBS season represents the full blossoming of its charming debut. Characters have grown and relationships have deepened in the small Irish village affectionately known among locals as "BallyK." Despite the pastoral setting, hopes, disappointments, and intrigues flourish with implacable regularity: babies are conceived and miscarried, voices of friends are raised and quieted over pints, priests are both buddies and confessors. Ambition, survival, and the constancy of community are more important in Ballykissangel's thoughtful comedy than eccentricity (though there is certainly plenty of that). Think of this show as an Irish Northern Exposure, including appealing counterparts to some of that American series' key characters.

In "For One Night Only," the Manchester, England-born Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson) further complicates his ambiguous and professionally forbidden feelings for Assumpta Fitzgerald (Dervla Kirwan), the beautiful and sardonic pub owner, by playing a love scene with her. The ever-observant and long-suffering Father Peter also finds an abandoned baby on his doorstep in "The Facts of Life," a sour irony for Niamh (Tina Kellegher) and Ambrose (Peter Hanly) Egan, the much-admired young couple who lose their first pregnancy from natural causes. Meanwhile, Niamh's father, the relentless contractor, Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle), continues his quest for the perfect scam, burying profits and inventing creative bribes to sway clients and officials. It speaks well of Ballykissangel's moral, if mellow, complexity that Brian, like Peter's nemesis, Father MacNally (Niall Toibin), can be appreciated for his full humanity regardless of his misdeeds.

Other highlights: "In the Can," in which the fiercely independent Assumpta goes out with a womanizing pop star despite advice to the contrary. "Money, Money, Money" finds Brian burned in a gambling scheme then seeking revenge through a charity poker tournament. The season finale, "Chinese Whispers," concerns widespread paranoia when two mysterious government investigators show up. The episode is quite funny, and ultimately reassuring about all that is soulful and good in BallyK. --Tom Keogh

Description

Life is a challenge for any priest in a small mountain town, and Father Peter Clifford struggles to save his parishioners' souls without falling himself...for the local barkeep, Assumpta Fitzgerald.

DVD Features:
Biographies
Featurette:"On the Ballykissangel Trail" - featuring interviews with the stars, behind the scenes footage and a tour of the town where Ballykissangel was filmed.

Customer Reviews:

Good Fun!.......2007-06-28

Ballykissangel series two was just as good as the first series which was fantastic. Lots of Irish humor as Father Clifford and Assumpta dance in their love hate relationship. Great characters. For One Night Only puts Father Clifford in an awkward position at the playhouse. Money, Money, Money shows community support for Katthleen with help from the racetrack. All very good stuff.

Ballykissangel series 2........2007-04-11

I just find this a wonderful entertaining and enjoyable series. All the different parts played out in the series are exceptionally well done.I also find it most relaxing and a great way to put in a few hours to just sit back and enjoy.

The BEST.......2006-07-27

Just watched series 2 in one night and hated when it finished. Series 3 has been ordered. Makes me want to go to Ireland. The humour is very subtle. Something I'll watch again and again over the years.

'Heavenonearth'.......2006-07-08

Great series, lousy DVD.......2005-11-28

The first three seasons of Ballykissangel are top notch. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the DVD's which are very poor quality. There is an overall graininess throughout and compression artifacts are visible to the point of being a distraction. If you are a Bally-K fan your options for owning the series are limited, but I would hold out for a remastered DVD, perhaps an anniversary edition down the road...

Average customer rating:

PTSD is real
"No One Wants to Be In A Cage"
Has Been Overlooked For Too Long
Birdyy!Cool!!!
Awful

Birdy
Starring: Matthew Modine , Nicolas Cage , John Harkins , Sandy Baron , and Karen Young
Director: Alan Parker
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Vietnam War | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00003L9CH
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Amazon.com

Based on William Wharton's transcendent novel of the same name, this film is about many things: friendship, war, and, of course, birds. The framing device is an effort by a horribly scarred combat soldier (Nicolas Cage) to break through to his best friend, Birdy (Matthew Modine), hospitalized after seemingly being driven mad by fighting in the Vietnam War. Cage then flashes back to their boyhood, where Birdy, a canary aficionado, was considered the school weirdo but managed to be a solid companion nonetheless. Directed by Alan Parker, it works best as a coming-of-age story, but misses the bizarre psychological transferences of the book, in which Birdy imagines himself within the world of canaries he creates in his bedroom at his parents' house. Modine is fine as an out-of-it misfit enraptured by his own little universe. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

PTSD is real.......2007-02-26

Main characters:
Al: Nicolas Cage
Birdy: Matthew Modine

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

"Birdy" tackles the complex issue of post traumatic stress following wartime, telling the story of two childhood friends damaged by the ills of war in Vietnam. Raised in the slums of Philadelphia, Birdy and Al were very close friends as teenagers before the war. The film begins with Al returning stateside in facial bandages, headed for a military hospital at the behest of a psychiatrist who believes Al may find a way to coax Birdy from a catatonic state.

The storyline drifts back and forth between the pair's childhood and the mental hospital, interspersed with flashbacks of the war. As the movie unfolds, we learn that Al just may need Birdy as much as or more than Birdy needs him. The movie takes an agonizing look at the emotional and physical trauma war can inflict on soldiers, and manages to portray the tragedy of PTSD with a silver-lining. A five-star movie with very good acting, directing and an ending which is sure to ask questions, "Birdy" is a wonderful addition to everyone's movie library.

"No One Wants to Be In A Cage".......2006-10-22

"Birdy" is a 1984 drama film set around two fresh Vietnam War veterans, with a score by Peter Gabriel. I picked it up mainly because of Gabriel's score, but after watching it discovered it was a brilliant and moving film as well.

Birdy (Matthew Modine) and Al (Nicholas Cage) are good friends, and have been since high school back in Philadelphia. Al's a wrestling champ at school, a bit lusty and is often getting into trouble. Birdy's a more quiet kind of guy, not really interested in girls, and sticks to himself. He loves birds, builds his own set of wings, and trains carrier pigeons. He's so far into birds and flying it's more than a bit of a worry sometimes, and has got him into trouble more than once. The obsessive nature is from his father's side. When Birdy's Dad was a boy he was really into making wicker chairs, so he understands his son. His mother doesn't understand as much, and is rather worried at and angry about Birdy's passions. Still, Al and Birdy have a good time, they're always getting part time jobs together, trying to make some money. They end up going to Vietnam, and both come back messed up, Al physically (half his face was blown off), and Birdy mentally (Birdy now acts like a bird). Birdy is now in the psychiatric ward of a military hospital, and Al, covered in bandages, has been called in to see if he can talk Birdy out of his condition. If he can't, says the psychiatrist, he'll be sent to an institution. So Al goes into the cramped white room where Birdy is, reminsicing about all times, getting no answer. He is convinced that Birdy is still there, deep inside, but the psychiatrist is convinced otherwise. In fact, after reviewing Al's records, he thinks that Al is equally messed up. Will Al be able to get through to Birdy, or will they both end up as institionalized war veterans?

Director Alan Parker has done a really good job with the look of this film, I thought. The Philadelphia we see is run down and rubbish strewn, but unlike so many films that try to be "gritty", there is a warmth to these places, they feel lived-in and loved rather than just trashy. There's an atmosphere to every place, be it under the bleachers, at the hospital, or in the darkness of Birdy's cell. The characters too, are interesting, especially the way they interact. (The scene where the usually quiet Birdy has a heated argument with Al's Dad, a gruff and usually furious man, and wins, for instance). Matthew Modine captures the quiet and intense feel of Birdy's character really well, as well as his quirky, dangerous moments that worried his friends and family so much. I've had a few friends like this in my time, and I think Modine hit the personality just right. There are a few themes and social comments running through the film (when and what is mental illness, the cold, hyper-sensitive eye of the mental health system, why young men choose to go to war, the nature of a deep friendship between two young men, etc) which were interesting concepts to digest.

Peter Gabriel's score heightens the emotion and themes really well. Give or take a new composition, the score is made up of instrumental tracks and segments from his third and fourth albums, "3" and "Security", with the production values leaning more towards that of the fourth album. Already being familiar with the music, it was interesting hearing how Gabriel chose to use it. Birdy seems to get the song "Wallflower" as his theme (which I think is rather appropriate, given the lyrics of the original) while Al, more or less, gets an instrumental of "Family Snapshot" in his vulnerable and emotional moments. Gabriel was a good choice for scoring this film, I thought. In those albums whose materials he used for the score, he dealt a lot with mentally vulnerable people through his lyrics, while on Genesis albums like "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" explored the friendship between men (Brother John and Rael, who appear through the songs), so I think he would have understood nature of the material when scoring it. Alan Parker also made a good decision in adapting the "Birdy" book to screen. Having dealt with mental trauma very well through his last film "Pink Floyd - The Wall", he had the experience to deal with the material with sensitivity, understanding and could add the right evocative imagery and dialogue. I got a bit emotional by the end, actually.

Definitely worth a look for fans of a good drama, fans of Alan Parker and fans of Peter Gabriel.

Has Been Overlooked For Too Long .......2006-08-31

"Birdy"is an outstanding character study with a well-written script that was directed by a very talented director (Alan Parker of "Pink Floyd The Wall", "Midnight Express", "Mississippi Burning", and "Angel Heart"). Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage both gave unforgettable performances in this dark, disturbing yet somehow uplifting story of two friends from South Philadelphia, Al (Cage) and Birdy (Modine in the performance that easily could be one of the best ever given by any actor on screen and sadly has been overlooked for too long). Birdy is an innocent and odd young man who has been always fascinated by birds and wanted to learn to fly. Both friends had to take a traumatic tour of duty in Vietnam that affected them tremendously - both physically and mentally. The film is not about Vietnam, though - it is a brilliant story of friendship and how far Al would go for his friend. The film has one of the most original and surprising endings ever.

Birdyy!Cool!!!.......2005-12-16

The boy once wants to fly!...I really loved the movie!I was zapping when i stop int this movie...i was like "that's a comon movie" but was wrong. Its just amazing to see how obcessed we coulb be...we can became just others due to an obcession...for me was too interesting to see this movie...the boy fell in love with a bird...wants to be a bird, its out of normal...its fascinating!=)

Awful.......2005-11-09

This movie was so awful it prompted me to write my first review. The DVD is now a beer coaster. I would give it zero stars if I could.

Average customer rating:

Amaze your friends with this "sleeper" hit!
A black comedy with a message; highly underrated
What a pleasure.
If you like Irish and British Comedy
Darkly Hilarious

Divorcing Jack
Starring: David Thewlis , Rachel Griffiths , Jason Isaacs , Laura Fraser (II) , and Richard Gant
Director: David Caffrey (II)
Manufacturer: Ventura Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005PJ7E
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Customer Reviews:

Amaze your friends with this "sleeper" hit!.......2007-05-02

When my friends come over and want to see a movie, I always keep this one as a recommendation. The movie is funny, action packed, and features some wonderful performances by brilliant actors. I recommend picking up a copy for those nights when you and your friends can't make up your minds.

A black comedy with a message; highly underrated.......2006-08-19

A vastly underrated film that was practically ignored by both critics and viewers, Divorcing Jack is a highly enjoyable, and often powerful, film with a terrific cast and a very clever title that keeps you interested to the last minute. It's good to see David Thewlis, one of the finest British actors of his generation, play the lead in a British film - as he did in his prime, and not a side character in Hollywoodian films like Harry Potter. His performance in Divorcing Jack isn't quite as remarkable as the one he gave five years before in Naked but it's fantastic by its own right, and just like in Naked Thewlis creates an anti-hero that is egoistic, weak, detestable, and entirely believable; if you're looking for a noble hero to sacrifice himself for the greater good because that's the right thing to do, look elsewhere. Dan Starkey cares for himself and makes excuses for nobody; and that makes him a protagonist you can relate to.

There are some neat surprises in the supporting cast: Australian born Rachel Griffiths - AKA Brenda Chenowith of HBO's terrific Six Feet Under - who was practically anonymous in 1998, is terrific as Thewlis' stripper-in-nun's-clothing sidekick, and supplies some of the film's funniest moments. Jason Isaacs, who, like Thewlis, has recently familiarized himself with American audiences through the Harry Potter movies, in bone-chillingly excellent in the lead villain role. The beautiful Laura Fraser (who had recently made a career for herself in Hollywood with supporting roles in movies like Titus, Vanilla Sky, and A Knight's Tale; but anyone who happened to catch the excellent BBC mini-series Neverwhere will surely remember her as the charming Door) has a part that's brief but unforgettable. American TV regular Richard Grant is lovely and believable as the visiting reporter from the US who came to cover the upcoming elections but is more interested in learning about the difference between the different types of scotch. And experienced British actor Robert Lindsay steals the show as the dodgy candidate. Finally, a brief but hilarious cameo from the charming Bronagh Gallagher (The Commitments) as a taxi driver.

The film's messages about the horrors and idiocy of war and particularly the Irish civil war are familiar and would have been corny in a straight drama, but as in Catch-22 and other classic black comedies, the absurd humor of the film makes it powerful. If you take any of the two aspects of the film - comedic or political - and separate it from the other, maybe it really isn't all that good. Perhaps that's why it failed to find its audience in the US and most of Europe. Myself, I've lived my entire life in Israel, and am familiar with a war between two neighboring factions that always seems on the brink of resolution just before the situation explodes again, and that has its highest price in the innocent lives of people on both sides who just want to be left alone in peace, while the leaders of both peoples carry on their senseless warmongering. Divorcing Jack has a simplistic view of the situation but it's important to make it heard. The ending is inevitable and almost predictable, yet it's the only proper ending this story could possibly have. Divorcing Jack is highly recommended; it's neither a romantic comedy nor a straight thriller, but it's a good and powerful film to enjoy and to think about.

What a pleasure........2006-06-03

I knew almost nothing about this movie when I bought it, other than the fact that David Thewlis and Jason Isaacs (both of Harry Potter fame) were in it. So imagine my delight when it turned out to be an incredibly entertaining black comedy about the unrest in Ireland. It has a seemingly serious premise--incriminating statements by an up-and-coming politician are hidden on a tape of Dvorak, which is given to a drunken Belfast reporter by a young woman who later dies to protect it--which is given an absolutely ridiculous execution. The quirky and the malevolent and the monumentally incompetent exist side-by-side in this version of Belfast, and it makes for some seriously entertaining viewing. The highlights? The nun-o-gram (Rachel Griffiths) who repeatedly rides to the rescue of our hapless reporter, the menacing, but verra sexy IRA thug, "Cow" Pat Keegan (Jason Isaacs, gorgeous in a blue shirt and black pants), and the female taxi driver (Bronagh Gallagher) whose patter (replete with creative use of the F-word) is the funniest thing in the movie.

The DVD has no extras to speak of, but the movie's great. Highly recommended.

If you like Irish and British Comedy.......2005-08-26

.... This movie is for you. Now, now one shouldn't make fun of the Northern Irish situation the way it was 10- 15 years ago, but the movie isn't all about it. Do not misunderstand me the whole Irish war thing plays a part in this movie but let's meet the main character....

Starkey.... A drink-a-lot -of- beer happy Irish guy who works for a news paper always on the edge of being kicked out if he doesn't deliver a good story soon!!! He happens to meet some high positioned politicians daughter who happened to be the ex girlfriend of a loony terrorist/ dealer named Cow Pat Keegan < I think I wrote the name right > . And even though Starkey is married and loves his wife he falls for the gal who is killed in the 1st third of the movie.

Starkey now on the search for the gals killer meets a whole bunch of people along the way some of em funnier then others, realizing somewhere down the road that the last words of the dieing gal weren't Divorcing Jack but...... oh I almost told you ... you going to have to find that one out for yourself.

Fact of the matter is one either likes this movie or hates it. I personally liked the dark humor. It's a change from the usual oh so happy bubbly comedies that we have come accustomed with. And even though some of the parts in this movie don't seem to make sense I believe that's the point making the movie even funnier.

Sadly there haven't been any extra's on the DVD; so if you are looking for interviews on the movie by cast and crew you are not going to get that. And it's a movie for grown ups only due to all the bad words in it you know F and S words which one shouldn't be surprised by since the movie is as Irish as it can be. Some of you might have trouble to understand the sometimes thick accent but its still worth seeing this movie!!!!

Darkly Hilarious.......2005-08-05

Divorcing Jack is a hilarious, preposterous romp that ain't gonna be up most folk's alley. It's got a top drawer cast that one wishes, perhaps, were in a slightly better film, but they make the most of the material and often take it up a notch or two beyond where one expects it to go.

David Thewlis is terrific as Starkey and he bumbles through plot twists that are almost dizzying. Joining him is a terrific performance by Aussie actress, Rachel Griffiths, who at this point in her career seems capable of doing just about anything. Her gun toting stripper nun bit is priceless.

Obviously, from so many negative reactions, Divorcing Jack is not a typical feel good film, but for those who enjoy figuring out the nearly indecipherable, double crossing agents, chase scenes, strippers in nun drag, symbolism, the ongoing situation in Northern Ireland tossed with some bitter, black and often delicious humour, check out Divorcing Jack. You just might surprise yourself!

Average customer rating:

INTRIGUING, SHOCKING, GREAT
It's Just a Piece of Meat
Who Can Sneer at Love?
"When a Man Loves a Woman, She would Stand by Her Man",
OK

The Crying Game
Starring: Forest Whitaker , Miranda Richardson , Stephen Rea , Adrian Dunbar , and Breffni McKenna
Director: Neil Jordan
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0784011184
Release Date: 1998-01-20

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Customer Reviews:

INTRIGUING, SHOCKING, GREAT.......2007-06-26

It's Just a Piece of Meat.......2007-05-15

"The Crying Game"

It's Just a Piece of Meat

Amos Lassen and Cin